SILCHAR, Aug 11 - Earlier this year, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had said that boosting air cargo services shall revolutionise the agricultural sector in the State and recently a large consignment of around 15 mt of organically-produced pineapples from Hmarkhawlien in Cachar district was transported to Dubai.
Against this backdrop, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), in a bid to tap the potential of outbound cargo, in particular is augmenting it�s plans to develop the cargo facilities at the Silchar airport.
The Regional Executive Director of AAI in North East, Sanjeev Jindal is of the view that since perishable products from this region including organically-cultivated pineapples of Hmarkhawlien, dragon fruit of Mizoram and even vegetables have an increasing demand in the international market, a functional air cargo service can boost the commercial prospects across southern Assam.
Talking to The Assam Tribune on the sidelines of his visit to Silchar to overview the chores including the setting up of the much-needed new airport, Jindal said, �we understand that the demand for organic agro products is increasing not only in the country but also offshores. We are ready to do whatever is possible including security arrangements to make cargo services go up and running from the existing airport. Better cargo facilities which would be much cheaper to avail shall ensure products of farmers reach out to markets in the European countries as well. Also, the airlines operating here have assured to assist the services as well.�
Further, Jindal said that the State Government is maintaining a positive stance towards developing the airline services from this region. He was also of the view that since the Government is exploring possibilities of reaching out to the south east Asian market, Silchar can become a cargo hub for the region in the future which would eventually create employment prospects as well.
According to sources at the Silchar airport, around 1000 mt of cargo transportation, mostly inbound consignments have been registered from Silchar airport in 2018-19.
On the other hand, talking about his observations on the new greenfield airport here, Jindal said that the plot at Khoreel Tea Garden looks to be congenial for setting up the airport. Soon, a team of experts from New Delhi would be visiting the location for a feasibility survey and on the basis of the reports, further action in this regard would be taken, he added.
